Muffler or soft-stop for pianos



(No Model.)

B. M. QUINT. MUFFLER 0R SOFT STOP FOR PIANOS.

No. 513,341 Patented Jan. 23, 1894.

Wimesses lnvenror w A W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDGAR M. QUINT, OF CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

MUFFLER OR SOFT-STOP FOR PIANOS.

SIECIFICATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 513,341, dated January 23,1894.

Application filed April 29,1893. Serial No. 72,310. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDGAR M. QUINT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Concord, in the county of Merrimac and State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mufliers or Soft- Stops for Pianos; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of this invention is to make a simple, cheap and efficient tone muffler for pianos.

The invention consists of the various novelties in construction and operation of the parts comprising the device,all of which will be fully set forth in the following specification and claims and clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, of which Figure 1 shows a sectional elevation of a portion of a piano and my improved tone muffler as when in action. Fig. 2 is asimilar view of the same parts showing the mufiier in a position out of action.

A piece of felt or cloth A, which must be brought in contact with the piano strings represented by the line B, is mounted upon one edge of a bar 0, situated within the piano case X, and running the entire length and over the action thereof. This bar C, is supported at each end upon brackets D D, pivoted at E, to the piano frame or case X. The lower end of the bracket D, is cycloidal in form, having two convex curves (Z cZ,one each side of its center. Below this bracket D, and in vertical alignment with the pivotal point E, of the same, is a reciprocal rod F,eX- tending down through a bearing in the piano case X where it may be connected with and operated by an ordinary pedal and lever. To the top of the rod F, is pivoted a tilt lever G, having a round top g,-as shown, and inclining sides g, which normally rest against the inner ends h, of a yoke H, which serves as a guide for said tilt lever G.

By reference to the drawings it will be seen that the rounded top 9- of the tilt lever is, when in its normal position, always ready to engage with either of the curves (1 d, of the bracket D. For instance, in Fig. 1, the bracket D, is placed so as to bring the mufiler A, in contact with the strings, and the point d being so far to one side of the top of the tilt lever, the latter when raised will enter the curve (1, and tilt toward theouter edge of said curve, while throwing the bracket over into the position seen in Fig. 2,and taking the muffler out of action. Therod F, and tilt lever G, after being raised return automatically to their normal position, and as seen in Fig. 2, when they are again raised the top of the tilt lever will enter the curve d, of the bracket and throw the mufller again in action.

Felt buttons I, may be secured by screws 1' at the proper point at either side of the bracket D, to form stops for the same.

Having described my invention, what I claim is I. In a tone muffler composed of the ordinary felt or cloth apron supported upon a bar running lengthwise above the piano action, the pivoted brackets for carrying said bar and muffler, one of said brackets having cycloidal curves in its bottom, a reciprocal rod connecting with a pedal, and having at its top a tilt lever pivoted thereto, and provided with a rounded top for engagement with either cycloidal curve of said bracket.

2; In a tone mufiier, actuating mechanism consisting essentially of a pivotal bracket having cycloidal curves in its bottom and a reciprocating rod and tilt-lever being normally in alignment with the pivotal point of said bracket, and suitable stops or guides for said bracket and tilt-lever, substantially for the purpose set forth.

The pivoted bracket having two concave curves in its bottom, a reciprocal rod carrying a tilt-lever having a rounded top and inclining sides, and a retaining yoke having its inner ends inclined corresponding to the sides of said tilt-lever.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDGAR M. QUINT.

Witnesses:

J. B. THURSTON, CARRIE E. EVANS. 

